Period:Ming dynasty (1368–1644) Date:16th century Culture:China Medium:Carved red and black lacquer Dimensions:H. 1 1/8 in. (2 cm); Diam. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm) Classification:Lacquer Credit Line:Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015 Accession Number:2015.500.1.47a, b In China, the praying mantis was appreciated for its skillful hunting with its long front legs. The term for “praying mantis” has the same pronunciation as the word for “handsome man” (lang), and the insect became a popular motif in Chinese art from the sixteenth century on.
Period:Ming dynasty (1368–1644) Date:16th century Culture:China Medium:Carved red and black lacquer Dimensions:H. 1 1/8 in. (2 cm); Diam. 2 3/4 in. (7 cm) Classification:Lacquer Credit Line:Gift of Florence and Herbert Irving, 2015 Accession Number:2015.500.1.47a, b In China, the praying mantis was appreciated for its skillful hunting with its long front legs. The term for “praying mantis” has the same pronunciation as the word for “handsome man” (lang), and the insect became a popular motif in Chinese art from the sixteenth century on.